Uttarakhand Assembly Likely to Pass Uniform Civil Code Bill Today
In a significant move toward legal uniformity, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has presented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the Uttarakhand state assembly today. The bill aims to establish uniform laws pertaining to marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance for all citizens of the state, regardless of their religion.
Live-in Relationships in Uttarakhand to be Registered
Under the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) of Uttarakhand, 2024 bill, live-in partners in the state are required to register their relationships with district officials. Failure to do so may result in potential imprisonment. Partners of a live-in relationship, whether residents or non-residents of Uttarakhand, must submit a statement of their relationship to the Registrar within the jurisdiction they reside in. However, the bill excludes the registration of live-in relationships involving at least one partner who is a minor. Partners under the age of 21 will prompt the registrar to inform their parents or guardians. Registration will also be denied in cases where consent is obtained through force, coercion, undue influence, misrepresentation, or fraud.
Penalties for Non-compliance
Staying in an unregistered live-in relationship for over a month may result in imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of Rs 10,000, or both. Providing false information to the Registrar carries a higher fine and potential imprisonment.
Maintenance and Legal Recourse
In cases of abandonment, the bill allows a woman in a live-in relationship to claim maintenance from her partner through a competent court.
Exclusion of Scheduled Tribes
It’s important to note that the UCC bill excludes the Scheduled Tribes from its purview.
Significance of the Uniform Civil Code
The introduction of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand represents a significant step towards legal reform and standardization. If passed, it will establish a common legal framework for various aspects of personal and family life, ensuring equality and consistency in matters of marriage, divorce, property rights, and inheritance.
As the assembly discusses and deliberates upon the bill, its passage would mark a milestone in the state’s legal landscape, potentially setting a precedent for other regions to follow suit in the pursuit of legal uniformity and social justice.
Stay tuned for further updates as the proceedings unfold.